What Is a Flower Nail?

A flower nail is used to pipe flowers from icing as decorations for baked goods, according to Wilton. The nail has a flat top that is at least 1 1/4 inches in diameter and a long, thin piece of metal extending down from the flat surface.

Cake decorators hold the thin nail portion between their fingers, turning the flat surface as they pipe layers of frosting to create a flower shape. Layering a piece of wax or parchment paper onto the nail before piping allows the decorator to slide the flower off the nail and leave it to dry, according to About.com.